Northern Technical University (NTU)

Technical college of Kirkuk (TCK)

: Topic 1 Surveying Engineering Department

2nd Stage
Photogrammetry I

Topic 7
Aerial Photo Interpretation

lecturer: SumayaFalihHasan
Sumaya.h.falih@ntu.edu.iq

1
?What is image (photo) interpretation

Elements of image interpretation

?What is photo interpretation

The examination of images for the purpose of identifying objects“

and judging their importance.” (Philipson, 1997)

Elements of Image Interpretation have been in use since the first

.aerial photo was taken in 1858

Most of the time, many elements are used by an image analyst

without really thinking about them
 Elements of Image Interpretation

:The elements are

Location-1
Size-2
Shape-3
Shadow-4
Tone and color-5
Texture-6
Pattern-7
Height and depth-8
Association-9
:Location -1

?Where is the object (x,y)

Survey or Global Positioning System (GPS)
Most air photo systems now use GPS to locate the precise
.coordinate of the principal point
Rectify” image to a base map or GPS coordinates collected on the“
.ground
.If relief displacement is also corrected for, result is an orthophoto
:Size -2
The size of objects must be considered in the context of the scale of
a photograph. The scale will help you determine if an object is a
small pond or a large lake. Major highways can be distinguished
from smaller roads. Long rivers can be distinguished from smaller
.tributaries
:Shape -3
Shape refers to the general outline of objects. Regular geometric shapes are
usually indicators of human presence and use. Agricultural areas tend to have
geometric shapes like rectangles and squares. Streams are linear (line) features
that can have many bends and curves. Roads frequently have fewer curves than
.streams. Some objects can be identified almost solely on the basis of their shapes
The Pentagon Building -1
Football fields -2
Cloverleaf highway interchanges -3
:Shadow -4
Shadow reduction is of concern in remote sensing and
photogrammetry because shadows tend to obscure objects that
.might otherwise be detected
However, the shadow cast by an object may be the only real clue to
.its identity
Shadows can also provide information on the height of an object
.either qualitatively or quantitatively
.Shadows aid interpreters in determining the height of objects in aerial photographs
.However, they also obscure objects lying within them
5- Tone and color:
Tone (also called Color or Hue). Tone refers to the relative brightness or color of
elements on a photograph. Some objects appear darker and more crisp than others.

Color-combining techniques can be used to create

.color composite images from individual bands
Humans can distinguish the difference between
.thousands of subtle colors
:Texture -6
The impression of "smoothness" or "roughness" of image features is
caused by the amount of change of tone in photographs. Grass,
cement, and water generally appear "smooth", while a forest canopy
."may appear "rough
:Pattern -7
The patterns formed by objects in a photo .)spatial arrangement(
can be used to identify those objects. For example, consider the
difference between
the random pattern formed by an unmanaged area of trees and )1(
.the evenly spaced rows formed by a tree orchard )2(
:Height and depth -8
As discussed, shadows can often offer clues to the height of
.objects
.In turn, relative heights can be used to interpret objects
.In a similar fashion, relative depths can often be interpreted
Descriptions include tall, intermediate, and short; deep,
.intermediate, and shallow
:Association -9
Some objects are always found in association with other objects. The
context of an object can provide insight into what it is. For instance, a
nuclear power plant is not likely to be found in the midst of single-
family housing. A vegetated area within an urban setting may be a
park or a cemetery. Wetlands may be located next to rivers, lakes, or
estuaries. Commercial centers will likely be located next to major
roads, railroads, or waterways